PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER AND COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF WASH PRACTICE IN PERI-URBAN IKPOBA OKHA, NIGERIA

This study assessed the physicochemical and microbiological quality of household and community drinking water sources. It examined associated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in selected peri-urban communities of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was adopted, involving 191 households selected through systematic sampling. Data on water sources, treatment practices, sanitation facilities, hygiene behaviour, and recent waterborne illnesses were collected using structured questionnaires and observation checklists. Water samples from boreholes, wells, and packaged (sachet/bottled) sources were analysed for physicochemical and microbiological parameters in accordance with World Health Organization drinking water standards. Boreholes were the main source of drinking water for 71.2% of households, followed by packaged water (28.8%), while only 35.6% of respondents treated water before consumption. Physicochemical parameters, including pH (6.6–7.8), electrical conductivity (120–510 μS/cm), total dissolved solids (85–380 mg/L), and nitrate levels (3.2–28.7 mg/L), were generally within recommended limits across all water sources. However, microbiological analysis revealed significant contamination, with total coliforms detected in 31% of borehole samples and 58% of well water samples, indicating possible faecal pollution despite acceptable chemical quality. Sanitation assessment showed that 56.5% of households used pit latrines, while 18.3% still practiced open defecation. Hygiene practices were suboptimal, as although 68.6% reported handwashing with soap after toilet use, 41.4% lacked functional handwashing facilities. Waterborne diseases were reported by 38.7% of households within six months preceding the survey, with children under five accounting for 44% of cases. Overall, the findings highlight persistent public health risks linked to microbiological water contamination and inadequate WASH practices, underscoring the need for routine water quality monitoring, improved groundwater protection, household water treatment, and strengthened sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.